Zaire

Zaire was a Central African state from 1971 to 1997 that has recently risen up the charts as a boys name. Deriving from a Congo term meaning "the river that swallows all rivers", it makes a bold and wearable choice for a son.

It began to climb up the charts in the late 90s, after the dissolution of the state and the establishment of the Republic of Congo. Zaire has been in the US Top 1000 consistently since 2002, and as of 2023, it is in the Top 500, given to around 650 boys - and a small handful of girls - each year.

Notably borne by footballers Zaire Anderson and Zaire Barnes, Zaïre (or Zara) is also the name of a play by French playwright, Voltaire, while alternative forms, Zyair, Zyaire, and Jaire are also in use.

Pronounced zah-EER.

As of October 2026, Zaire ranked #503 in US births in 2025 SSA, peaked at #466 in 2023.